Happy Primary Election Day! We’re checking in at polling places around the metro. At Sioux Trail Elementary School in Burnsville, a handful of voters have been making their way in and out this morning.

Christine Weeks, 48, is a mom and administrator at Hamline University. She voted for Erin Murphy at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in St. Paul. “I want someone who knows about healthcare,” she said. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DkkGm1uUYAEFP5g.jpg

One voter here says he voted for Tim Pawlenty, who he liked as governor the last time around. “As a governor, in a liberal state, he’ll be able to balance the budget and he’s going to curb fraud and abuse,” said Brian Johnson, 55, who works in health care finance.

Software engineer Joe Taylor, 33, said he voted for Jeff Johnson in the GOP governor primary. “T. Paw was not my guy last time,” he said. Prefers Johnson, who he said is more conservative, especially on health care, but worries Pawlenty may have the edge today.

Nurse Sharon Wanvig, 63, pocked Erin Murphy in the DFL governor primary. She said she listened to the candidates debate on MPR and liked Murphy’s positions on health care, the environment and gun control.

Steady stream of voters at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley. Retired teacher Bill Bond, 72, says he voted for Tim Walz in DFL governor primary. Said he wanted a candidate who isn’t doing negative ads and who can work together with others.

This isn’t 5-year-old Helene Schirg’s first time voting — her mom Katharina, 41, takes her most years. Schirg said she campaigned for Erin Murphy because “she’s by far the most qualified candidate,” highlighting her stance on healthcare. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DkkO4goVsAA4LxR.jpg

Also in Apple Valley, psychologist Arlow Andersen, 70, voted for Tim Walz for governor and Richard Painter for U.S. Senate. He says he wasn’t impressed by Sen. Tina Smith’s ads and believes Painters opposition to Trump and his party swap from GOP to DFL is “courageous.”

Piano teacher Mary Friend, 62, was voter No. 76 at her polling place in Apple Valley around 9:20. “I expected it to be busier!” she said. She voted Walz for governor and Tina Smith for Senate. She said she picked Walz in part because of his experience.

Former Sen. Al Franken “should have never been thrown out,” said Francie Anthony, 69, who walked to the polls in St. Paul from her house across the street. She voted for Richard Painter because “he’s one of the few people who really stood up against the guy in the White House.”

Sharon Mallery gets emotional talking about how bad she feels the country’s gotten. But the 64-year-old said the Democrats on this primary’s ballot gave her hope. “I saw new blood. I saw more people who have heart for a fight. And that’s what we need — someone to fight for us.”

Jake Meyer, 25, calls himself a young progressive. He voted for Erin Murphy because he thinks she’ll be the best at turning out voters in November. “And she’s about politics of joy, not a politics of hate,” he said in reference to her stance on healthcare and immigration issues. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DkkYZbtUcAIV28z.jpg

Retired business owner Robert Kennedy, 82, of Eden Prairie, said he voted for GOP gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson, though he liked Tim Pawlenty too. “I felt that Johnson was more conservative,” he said. “I like what he stands for.”

Troy Parish, 37, is a merchandising planner with two young daughters. His vote for attorney general was driven by candidates’ positions on gun control. “I don’t really personally like Keith Ellison, but none of the other candidates really take a stance on assault weapons bans.” https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dkk5r7iVAAEY06b.jpg

Darrell Hauge, 55, who is into sales work voted at Grace Evengilical Free Church in Fridley. He said he chose Jamal Abdi Abdulahi (D) for the 5th Congressional district because he was happy with Ilhan Omar to continue as Minnesota State Representative. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DklD4clXcAA7U30.jpg

Also in Eden Prairie, Hope Kennedy, 82, said she cast her ballot for Jeff Johnson because she’s “had enough” of Gov. Mark Dayton. “We need a change,” she said. “I think Jeff Johnson can probably be it.”

Dale Snuggerud, 89, said he voted conservative down the ticket, choosing Pawlenty over Johnson in the GOP gubernatorial race because he thought the former governor did well during his time in office. “He did a lot better than the ones we’ve had for the last few years,” he said.

Talked to voters outside Woodbury Lutheran Church this afternoon. Lori Simon, 60, said she voted Tim Walz for governor because he doesn’t attack fellow DFL candidates. “It’s like eating your young,” the retired social worker said of party infighting. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dklbj8TU8AA8Pf6.jpg

Molly Milinkovich, a 42-year-old small business owner in Excelsior, voted for Matt Pelikan for attorney general. “What I’ve realized is it’s really important to start digging around a little bit more because the party lines don’t really mean anything.” https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DklcNfHU8AE5oEf.jpg